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Colorado
Ski Country USA
5th Grade Ski Passport Program |
"Kids are the future of the sport and we wanted to give them the opportunity to learn to ski in their own backyard," says Kristin Rust, Communications Director at Colorado Ski Country USA. "The best part about this program is that it provides an excellent opportunity for families to enjoy the mountains together". The 5th grade Passport Program is open to all kids who are in 5th grade. This also includes kids who live outside Colorado borders.
The way it works is for parents to send in the application along with a small 2"x2" photo for each child applying. Applications are available at front-range McDonald's, Breeze/Max Ski and Snowboard Rentals, Colorado Ski and Golf, Boulder Ski Deals, as well as at your child's school. There is no cost for registration however, every child must apply and the deadline is January 31st each year.
Sean and Moira on the slopes
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The reason I'm so excited is that my son Sean is in 5th grade and this year he'll get to participate in the 5th Grade Passport Program, which means he gets to ski for free. Sean has been skiing since he could stand up and now at age 11, is a black level skier. Because of the Passport Program Sean and I are already planning a few ski trips this winter. It really provides an opportunity to spend more time with my son on the slopes. In the same manner that every child should learn to swim, a kid growing up in Colorado should have the opportunity to learn how to ski. And become good at it. "The 5th Grade Ski Passport Program was started 5 years ago and has grown tremendously", say Rust. "We've received wonderful feedback so we know how successful the program has been". A testament to the success of the program is the entire country of Canada offers the 5th Grade Free Skiing Program as well as many states around the U.S. You do not have to live in Colorado to participate in the 5th Grade Ski Passport Program but you do have to register with Colorado Ski Country USA. It's important to know that your child does not have to be with a paid adult as in most cases where the child can ski free. Colorado Ski Country does request that if you bring groups of kids to the slopes under the Passport Program that they be chaperoned. The passport issued to each child has 3 lift tickets at every ski resort in Colorado (except for Wolf Creek). This makes a total of over 75 days of free skiing. Blackout Periods (the times when the passport doesn't work are: Christmas Week (December 21st to January 1st; and Presidents Weekend (February 17th - 19th). In addition to 3 free lift tickets at each resort there are discount coupons for ski lessons, food, equipment rentals and more. |
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If
you decide to take advantage of the Colorado Ski Country USA 5th Grade
Ski Passport Program for your child and you are not sure how to go about getting your child up and skiing, here are a few suggestions: >> Look into renting equipment for the entire season if your child does not have equipment. Most area ski shops offer a full ski package, which includes skis and bindings, boots and poles for under $100.00. Most of the rental equipment is brand new, top of the line stuff that is better than any "hand me downs" or equipment you picked up for 5 bucks at some garage sale. The biggest disservice you can do your kids is to give them a great ski experience on lousy equipment. Any expert will tell you that equipment has a great deal to do with performance. Just because they're kids doesn't mean they should have second-rate equipment. |
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Make
sure they have ski boots that fit snug without
hurting the feet. Boots with front entry
(Buckles over the top of the foot) will give better performance
than rear entry (boots that buckle around the back of the leg).
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